JOURNAL: A Girl on Gear

[Bagua]

Thank you! I'll write those down

Watch the mirtazapine for weight gain and increased appetite. It's not a sleeping pill as in the hypnotic/sedative type but is actually an anti-depressant. that we just class as "anti-depressant other". That's because we aren't sure how it works. If you can get by with 7.5 mg that would be a good thing but most people find that 15 mg seems to work well for sleep.
Trazodone is also an anti-depressant, but because it is older it has more hypnotic-like effects. (not too sure how it works either and is often listed as other). It doesn't lead to weight gain and you need to take it with it with food. This can be problematic if your last meal is early in the evening and you take it too early the sedation will wear off and it won't help so much for sleep. A light meal or even a shake before bed may do. Just watch for signs of stomach issues. Trazodone has just recently been shown to enhance sleep quality for many people and is being looked at for many other uses.
https://www.psychcongress.com/news/trazodone-improves-some-measures-sleep-quality
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-power-rest/201704/is-trazodone-the-new-brain-wonder-drug

 

[German89]

Watch the mirtazapine for weight gain and increased appetite. It's not a sleeping pill as in the hypnotic/sedative type but is actually an anti-depressant. that we just class as "anti-depressant other". That's because we aren't sure how it works. If you can get by with 7.5 mg that would be a good thing but most people find that 15 mg seems to work well for sleep.
Trazodone is also an anti-depressant, but because it is older it has more hypnotic-like effects. (not too sure how it works either and is often listed as other). It doesn't lead to weight gain and you need to take it with it with food. This can be problematic if your last meal is early in the evening and you take it too early the sedation will wear off and it won't help so much for sleep. A light meal or even a shake before bed may do. Just watch for signs of stomach issues. Trazodone has just recently been shown to enhance sleep quality for many people and is being looked at for many other uses.
https://www.psychcongress.com/news/trazodone-improves-some-measures-sleep-quality
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-power-rest/201704/is-trazodone-the-new-brain-wonder-drug

Thank you.. what about ziplicone? Or is that the same?

 

[Bagua]

Thank you.. what about ziplicone? Or is that the same?

That is entirely different and is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent. It truly is a sleeping med, but it no longer has the halcyon like reputation it did just a couple of years ago. It has been determined to have an addictive potential as well as classic dependance characteristics as benzos. It's not the harmless med that it was made out to be. As with any medication it has idiosyncratic mechanisms of action and you may be able to tolerate it without dependence on it. I know of a couple of people who had to do the rehab thing for Zopiclone.

 

[German89]

That is entirely different and is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent. It truly is a sleeping med, but it no longer has the halcyon like reputation it did just a couple of years ago. It has been determined to have an addictive potential as well as classic dependance characteristics as benzos. It's not the harmless med that it was made out to be. As with any medication it has idiosyncratic mechanisms of action and you may be able to tolerate it without dependence on it. I know of a couple of people who had to do the rehab thing for Zopiclone.

Ughh.. I'll see what the doctor says. I just need something to knock me out and keep me out.

Ambien?

 

[Bagua]

Ughh.. I'll see what the doctor says. I just need something to knock me out and keep me out.

Ambien?

Ambien is Zolpidem. Another so-called Z drug.
The hard part is finding the right med. You may have to go through a couple to find the right one. Even Quetiapine is being used off-label for sleep and it is an atypical antipsychotic. There is a bit of a fuss about that one but many people find it efficacious for insomnia.
It's a weird and wacky world when it comes to sleep aids.

 

[Beothuk]

I have used Zopiclone for probably 5 years now and it’s definitely addictive. I honestly think I couldn’t come off without going to rehab, so use wisely and sparingly if possible.
This drug was originally marketed as a non addictive super sleeping pill, but evidently that wasn’t the case. I believe Tiger Woods went to rehab for Ambien abuse.
I think as @Bagua pointed out trazodone might be a better alternative as I believe it might be less addictive from what people have told me.

 

[German89]

When you guys say addictive...

Do you mean, you become dependent on it?

I've accepted the fact that, I'll always need a sleeping aid. OtC just lose its potency and, I keep forgetting to order my edibles.

If I alternate between the two, would it be bad?

 

[Bagua]

When you guys say addictive...

Do you mean, you become dependent on it?

I've accepted the fact that, I'll always need a sleeping aid. OtC just lose its potency and, I keep forgetting to order my edibles.

If I alternate between the two, would it be bad?

Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is when you adapt to repeated drug use leading to withdrawal upon discontinuation of the substance. Addiction. Ongoing use of many medications can result in tolerance to the effect of the drug, leading to an increase in the dose needed to reach the same effect. This is where people with the "Z" drugs get into problems. They need to increase the dose after a while to get to sleep. Withdrawal symptoms start when use is reduced or stopped. No sleep and anxiety increases.
Do you mean alternate between edibles and "Z" drugs?

 

[German89]

Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is when you adapt to repeated drug use leading to withdrawal upon discontinuation of the substance. Addiction. Ongoing use of many medications can result in tolerance to the effect of the drug, leading to an increase in the dose needed to reach the same effect. This is where people with the "Z" drugs get into problems. They need to increase the dose after a while to get to sleep. Withdrawal symptoms start when use is reduced or stopped. No sleep and anxiety increases.
Do you mean alternate between edibles and "Z" drugs?

Yes

Doc gave me fuckin ativan.. oh well. Itll help for now I suppose.

 

[Bagua]

Yes

Doc gave me fuckin ativan.. oh well. Itll help for now I suppose.

It will work but be careful that you don't start upping your dose if you develop a tolerance for it. If that happens tell your Doc. You don't want to stay on it long term, but it is prescribed that way too often.
You can take the edibles with the Ativan but watch the dose. You can try alternating as well. Have you ever tried a sleep ritual?

 

[German89]

Yup.. it worked for a bit.

I've battled insomnia since I was 20.

I have a good ritual, I think.. it's almost bed time too.

Surgery tomorrow I'll check in after that

 

[ABMonkey]

Thank you.. what about ziplicone? Or is that the same?

Hey, be careful with Zopiclone.

It is dependency forming

Have you tried Melatonin? I work shift-work and it works for me. You want the sublingual one.

EDIT. I should add I've used Zopiclone multiple times and for me it wasn't even that effective. Getting into a good pre-sleep routine is super important rather than relying on the drugs. They're just an aid!

 

[OldAndStrong]

Hey, be careful with Zopiclone.

It is dependency forming

Have you tried Melatonin? I work shift-work and it works for me. You want the sublingual one.

I second this! I've been on Zopiclone for a couple of years and it's VERY difficult to come off of. My Dr isn't very helpful either... I think he knows the challenge.

 

[faller]

And I was on it for a year when you could still get the 7.5mg, I had zero issues when I stopped. *shrug*

 

[The Old Guy]

I’ve always found heroine is great to put me to sleep.

 

[German89]

I’ve always found heroine is great to put me to sleep.

Well fuck me.. guess I should try some, eh lmao

Melatonin doesn't work for me. Makes me feel like trash.

I have time off now from work so, I'll figure something out.

I think surgery went okay? They admitted me. Got zero sleep even with morphine drip... I get 1 more drip and, I'll be put on something oral. They cut me 3x. My abdomen is so sore. I cant sit. Hardly walk. Cant pee. I fasted 8pm Thursday til 8am today. Had my rice and egg whites and some coffee..

Gonna try closing my eyes again. I'll let everyone knpw what the doc says when he comes in. Dou t he took the ovary. I asked him to take pictures too lol.

 

[Bagua]

Well fuck me.. guess I should try some, eh lmao

Melatonin doesn't work for me. Makes me feel like trash.

I have time off now from work so, I'll figure something out.

I think surgery went okay? They admitted me. Got zero sleep even with morphine drip... I get 1 more drip and, I'll be put on something oral. They cut me 3x. My abdomen is so sore. I cant sit. Hardly walk. Cant pee. I fasted 8pm Thursday til 8am today. Had my rice and egg whites and some coffee..

Gonna try closing my eyes again. I'll let everyone knpw what the doc says when he comes in. Dou t he took the ovary. I asked him to take pictures too lol.

I hope your recovery goes well!

 

[Bagua]

And I was on it for a year when you could still get the 7.5mg, I had zero issues when I stopped. *shrug*

That's good. Any hassles sleeping when you came off?

 

[German89]

I lost my ovary and fallopian tube

 

[Goldenrod]

I lost my ovary and fallopian tube

Just getting caught up on this. I have 7.5 mg remeron and it makes you hungry and can make you gain wait as Baugau said but never been an issue for me.
If it is anxiety that is keeping you up and I read correct, Ativan was prescribed, it is a reasonable drug. It has one of the shorter half lives and is the usually first go to with a benzo. As with all the warnings, it is extremely addictive. Unlike a narcotic and you are dependent (not even abusing it) and you stop, you have withdrawal but it isn’t going to kill you.
Benzo s like Ativan, when used daily cause a physical dependence and you need to taper to stop with the doctor’s help or you can have seizures. It is serious.
I was on Ativan before during a crisis time in my life (on it 6 months) and I weaned my self off slowly. It was very unpleasant and the brain fog and intermittent withdrawal lasted a year.
If it isn’t anxiety keeping you up, there are better alternatives like remeron but I’m not a doctor.
Best of luck and I hope this helps you - sleep is so important and if this works, it’s worth it.